Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dalhousie University: English test requirements
Undergraduate applicants meet one set of test minimums, with a long list of accepted tests. The Faculty of Graduate Studies sets higher minimums and a shorter list of tests (Duolingo and Cambridge are not on it), and programmes may require more.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG 7
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 90
PG 4.5 / 92
PTE Academic
UG 61
PG 65
Duolingo English Test
UG 120
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
Applicants who attended an English-based institution for three years at secondary level or one year at post-secondary level are generally considered to have met the requirement. If scores fall short, conditional admission is possible by taking another test or completing an approved pathway (Dalhousie English for Academic Purposes, or a partner institution). For fall entry the test or pathway is expected by 15 May, and for winter entry by 15 November. TOEFL is printed on the 1-120 and 1-6 scales.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 | bands 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT or TOEFL at Home | 4.5 (1-6 scale) / 90 (1-120 scale) | 1-120 scale: bands 20. 1-6 scale: 4.5 in Listening and 4.0 in Reading, Speaking and Writing | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 61 | communicative skills scores of 50 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | no subscore minimum stated | Accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 180 | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| CAEL / CAEL Online | 70 | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| Oxford ELLT | 7 | no individual component below 6 | Accepted |
“If you have attended a recognized English-based institution for three years at the secondary (high school) level or one year at the post-secondary level, you are generally considered to have met the requirement.”
Undergraduate English language requirements
Graduate
Faculty of Graduate Studies minimums, valid for tests up to two years old. Some programmes require higher scores, so check the programme page. A waiver can be requested during the application for a degree from a recognised English-medium university in a country where English is an official language. For TOEFL tests from 21 January 2026 only the 1-6 scale is considered.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (in-person and online) | 7 | no band minimum stated | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (in person or special at-home edition) | 4.5 (tests from 21 Jan 2026, 1-6 scale) / 92 (tests before 21 Jan 2026) | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 65 | nothing below 54 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot on the Faculty of Graduate Studies list of tests. | |
| CAEL (in-person and online) | 70 | no band score lower than 60 | Accepted |
“Some programs require higher ESL test scores than the minimums required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies that are listed below.”
Faculty of Graduate Studies: English language requirements
Other tests the university lists
- Michigan English Test (formerly MELAB), minimum 55 (undergraduate)
- Dalhousie English for Academic Purposes pathway and partner institution pathways (undergraduate)
- Dalhousie English Language Studies course English for Academic Purposes Level 2, overall grade of A- (graduate)
- MET (C1-level, four-skills test): 64 with no skills area below 53 (graduate)
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
Practise for your test, free
Fable Tests is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Dalhousie University or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.